Lt. Governor Carney's "Cancer Right to Know" Bill Signed Into Law

Delaware residents will now have access to more detailed cancer data thanks to legislation proposed by Lt. Governor John Carney. S.B. 235, "The Cancer Right to Know Law," requires the Division of Public Health to regularly release cancer data at the census tract level. The legislation was recently signed into law by Governor Minner.

"This law will ensure that Delawareans get the information they need to make the best decisions for themselves and their families," Carney said. "I know this was a difficult decision for the Governor. I believe she made the right decision for the people we serve as elected officials."

After the Division of Public Health refused to release aggregate data at the census tract level, the Lt. Governor went to Sen. Patti Blevins and Rep. Bethany Hall-Long and asked them to sponsor his "Cancer Right to Know Law." After the bill passed both houses of the General Assembly unanimously, Lt. Governor Carney urged the Governor to sign it into law.

"This law is about giving the public the information it should have," Carney said. "The Division of Public Health had concerns about privacy. I understand that. But this is about building trust between the people and their government. Government must take more responsibility for giving Delawareans access to this data. Delawareans need to know that their government is giving them all the information it can about their health and safety."

In recent years, Delaware's cancer mortality rates have declined at more than twice the national average. Screening rates, particularly in minority communities, have climbed to historic highs. And the state's first-of-its-kind Cancer Treatment Program has enabled Delawareans who are under- or uninsured to receive quality cancer treatment at no cost.

"We have accomplished great things in our fight against cancer here in Delaware," said Carney, who is a member of the Cancer Consortium. "Making cancer data available to the public is a critical step in continuing our progress."